Do you guys recommend using a clear bra on a black car?
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Blackthorn One
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- Mar 19, 2009
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I've seen a clear bra on a red Ferrari. You could see the bra when you got ten feet from the car. It just protects against chips and scratches. The bra peels off if you want. If you have a car you drive a lot, it makes sense to have one. If you have a show car that never gets driven, you definitely don't want one, because it detracts from the looks. A clear bra is better than paint chips, period.
watermantra
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- Jun 4, 2009
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I picked up my new car on Tuesday of this week. I've driven on the highway twice. I already have a significant rock chip on the front bumper. I do not follow close, and am a very cautious driver. Rock chips happen. I'm doing the clear bra myself in two days (after touching up the rock chip!...I didn't want the dealer to do it, and my labor is much cheaper!)
In my opinion, the security of the clear bra completely overshadows any potential detraction from the looks of the paint. A quality clear bra will actually have a clear coat on it that you can seal and wax just like your paint. They are ultraviolet neutral, so when you pull of the bra (they typically last 3-5 years, I understand) the paint underneath has aged the same as the rest of the paint. The only thing you have to deal with is the wax build up on the edge of the clear bra. You can (for more money, obviously) have the clear bra cut so that it ends at the end of a panel (cover the whole, rather than just the front of the hood, for instance) to ease this effect and give yourself even more protection.
Black cars, IMO, have the most to gain from a clear bra. Rock chips are VERY evident on dark cars, and will very quickly become too numerous to deal with. A clear bra will prevent nearly all but the worst chips, and even those are diminished to the point of easy touch-up.
I don't think you will regret your decision to spend the money on it.
In my opinion, the security of the clear bra completely overshadows any potential detraction from the looks of the paint. A quality clear bra will actually have a clear coat on it that you can seal and wax just like your paint. They are ultraviolet neutral, so when you pull of the bra (they typically last 3-5 years, I understand) the paint underneath has aged the same as the rest of the paint. The only thing you have to deal with is the wax build up on the edge of the clear bra. You can (for more money, obviously) have the clear bra cut so that it ends at the end of a panel (cover the whole, rather than just the front of the hood, for instance) to ease this effect and give yourself even more protection.
Black cars, IMO, have the most to gain from a clear bra. Rock chips are VERY evident on dark cars, and will very quickly become too numerous to deal with. A clear bra will prevent nearly all but the worst chips, and even those are diminished to the point of easy touch-up.
I don't think you will regret your decision to spend the money on it.
- Thread starter
- #5
I think it also depends where you live and the road conditions are different. I live in california, so the rockchip is less occuring than some states. I'm on the fence between getting the clear bra, because big rock chip will happen no matter clear bra or not. Also doing a full clear and not partial is costly to hide the edges.
The best method I've ever read about was from some of the BMW guys who buy a black leather car bra that is easy to install and remove. They drive 90% of the time without the bra, but for long highway drives and/or road trips, they will mount it on the front and should be good to go.
I have found that when on the highway, no amount of caution will shield you from pesky rock chips.
I have found that when on the highway, no amount of caution will shield you from pesky rock chips.
watermantra
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- Jun 4, 2009
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True. I live in the DFW area, where it seems like construction is the norm...my previous car (black) was so peppered with rock chips that I nearly lost all motivation to care for the front end of my car. Every detail I just became more depressed with the state of the bumper/hood!! And the headlights!...Jebus they were scratched and clouded by the end! I vowed never again! And, while I realize it isn't foolproof protection, it will help me hedge my bets and keep it better looking.
On the other hand, my mom's car (Rural South Georgia resident) is nearly rock-chip free, and she drives a TON! This wouldn't be such a good investment for her, obviously.
So Buffguy is right...take everything into account when you are deciding about whether this is a good investment for you. It's a no brainer here for me!
Colorado is notorious for rock chips and cracked windshields. We don't use salt during the Winter, just a lot of sand 
That said, I'm still not much of a fan of clear bra. I've detailed a number of cars with it, and I've noticed the difference in what it has to be brand names. Some are very thin and glossy, some are thick and turning yellow, so while it protects your car, do your homework as to what's the best clear bra material available.
You go cheap, it will eventually look cheap...
That said, I'm still not much of a fan of clear bra. I've detailed a number of cars with it, and I've noticed the difference in what it has to be brand names. Some are very thin and glossy, some are thick and turning yellow, so while it protects your car, do your homework as to what's the best clear bra material available.
You go cheap, it will eventually look cheap...
watermantra
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- Jun 4, 2009
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Exactly! It becomes such that a repaint is the only thing that will bring it back. I've just started over (new car!) so I'm doing it right this time.
HMFIC
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- Mar 6, 2009
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I have a customer that had one on his DB9 and the only place you can tell where the bra located is at the the lines where the plastic ends. Tho, after three years the plastic fades a little, very little. The car was always garage kept and only put about 3k a year on the car. But the owner still took it off after 3 years. And from what he tells me the dealer wanted to charge him 5000 bucks for e new one, which he kindly rejected.
tempter927
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- Nov 13, 2008
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Even on an aston martin $5000 is HIGH for a clear bra.
I have been meaning to have a clear bra installed on front and rear bumpers, hood, mirrors, and possibly rear fender area. I believe the paint has to be free of all waxes/sealants prior to installation. Also it makes sense to have the paint corrected in those areas before hand (which is why I have not gotten the clear film yet). I am willing to sacrifice some looks for some protection and if I dont like it I can always remove it.
I have been meaning to have a clear bra installed on front and rear bumpers, hood, mirrors, and possibly rear fender area. I believe the paint has to be free of all waxes/sealants prior to installation. Also it makes sense to have the paint corrected in those areas before hand (which is why I have not gotten the clear film yet). I am willing to sacrifice some looks for some protection and if I dont like it I can always remove it.
watermantra
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- Jun 4, 2009
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The other thing to consider is that the same waiting period for applying wax or sealant after a paint job applies to the clear film, as well. So after your bumpers were resprayed, you would need to wait to install the clear film the same amount of time that you would to apply a wax. The paint needs to cure.
Sounds like the Aston Martin dealership is trying to stick it to rich folks who don't know any better. They would use the same 3M film as the guy down the street who will do it for $300. And, he'd probably do a better job. As most of you guys can attest, Aston Martin, Ferrari or any other high end dealer is still subject to dealer missteps. I saw the most ridiculous swirls on the showroom cars at our local Aston Martin dealership! Appalling. I would bet that they hire the same gorillas to install their clear bras.
AlPap
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- Mar 6, 2009
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I have 3 black cars. One has a carbon fiber bra. One has no bra. The last one has a clear bra. I like the clear bra the best. I use Expel cleaner and sealant on the car. So far so good. The car without the bra has many rock chips. The car with the carbon fiber is well protected but it does put some minor scratches where it attaches on the wheel fenders. Hope that helps.
watermantra
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- Jun 4, 2009
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Thanks for the reply. My original question was posted a while ago, and I've since gotten a new Orange Honda Fit. I put on a clear bra myself on the hood, mirrors, part of the front fenders, and bumper (a BIG job around all those curves). The bra is barely noticeable, especially in this color car. It has saved me a ton of problems and paint chips. I had a freakin' BOULDER hit my car's hood recently, and it actually made it through the bra and chipped the paint a bit, but that is the only damage the car has incurred in a full year. I recently had the front bumper replaced as the result of hitting an animal on the highway, and insurance paid for the clear bra to be installed by a pro...the results are much better than my home job. I'd recommend this protection to anyone. I just use Optimum sealant followed by a good wax on the bra just the same as on the rest of the car. The installer did recommend the X-pel product to me, so I'll give that a try in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for the response. I hope this helps others looking into this. If folks would like, I can provide some pics of my car to show just how invisible the bra is.
Calendyr
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- Jun 9, 2013
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Had someone ask me about this product yesterday.
Anyone knows where to get the material to install them? Autogeek doesn't seems to carry it.
What do you guys think about using plasti-dip as a clearbra replacement? It would be cheaper, not sure how much protection it would give compared to a clearbra.
Anyone knows where to get the material to install them? Autogeek doesn't seems to carry it.
What do you guys think about using plasti-dip as a clearbra replacement? It would be cheaper, not sure how much protection it would give compared to a clearbra.
You can go directly to Xpel and order the film by the roll from them.
Plasti-dip while cheaper wouldn't provide anywhere near the protection and can be difficult to get it uniform and glossy.
FUNX650
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- Dec 1, 2010
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When it comes to PPF...
I find the vehicles' "color" to be a moot point.
"Protection" is the name of the game.
As such:
XPel's PPF offers ~ 6-8 mils of "protection thickness"...that's at least 25 times more thickness
than any Coating and a temporary: Wash-to-remove, spray-on-'mask' can ever offer.
Bob
I find the vehicles' "color" to be a moot point.
"Protection" is the name of the game.
As such:
XPel's PPF offers ~ 6-8 mils of "protection thickness"...that's at least 25 times more thickness
than any Coating and a temporary: Wash-to-remove, spray-on-'mask' can ever offer.
Bob
RaskyR1
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- Apr 14, 2008
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I'm personally not a big fan of clear bra (PPF). While I won't deny that they do an excellent job at protecting the paint, there are many draw backs to PPF too.
Texture of the 3M film
Pitting after 2yrs and about 30k
I dislike seeing the edges and texture difference
These were on a brand new install!!!!
Sexy!!!
Now having said the above, the only time I really like or would consider PPF is on a high end car, with a quality film, a highly skilled installer, and FULL PANEL wraps, with little to no edges. I detailed the below Porsche about a month ago which had a full frontal wrap (hood, fenders, bumper cover, and mirrors) which was "acceptable" to me. While the film itself still had some minor blemishes that took away from the look, along with what I feel is a "mirrorish" look to it in direct sun/light (Ventureshield), over all it looked pretty good and most would have a hard time spotting it. I was also pleased to see they had wrapped most edges and removed trim to give it a very clean look.
Here is an excellent write up by Rick Nelson (Rickrack) on how PPF "should" be installed...IMO at least.
- Quality - In my 20+ year career I have yet to see a SINGLE PPF install that didn't have some sort of blemish in it, whether it be from the film itself or installer. Even the demo cars at SEMA looked poor to me.
- PPF edges - I detest them!!!
- Cost - Initial cost for a proper full panel wrap can be more than the cost to repaint the panel itself. With the films having to be replaced around the 5 year mark (on average), I have a hard time justifying the cost.
- 12" - 18" front edge - What about the rest of the panel? You do realize the rest of the panel will pit and chip beyond the film right?
- Texture - While some of the newer films are getting better, most do not match the look of the OEM paint and can take away from the look of the vehicle
- Correction - Removing swirls from PPF is more challenging and can be much more limiting as well. Nothing I hate more than a swirled up film on a black car!
- Pitting - PPF still pits over time
Texture of the 3M film
Pitting after 2yrs and about 30k
I dislike seeing the edges and texture difference
These were on a brand new install!!!!
Sexy!!!
Now having said the above, the only time I really like or would consider PPF is on a high end car, with a quality film, a highly skilled installer, and FULL PANEL wraps, with little to no edges. I detailed the below Porsche about a month ago which had a full frontal wrap (hood, fenders, bumper cover, and mirrors) which was "acceptable" to me. While the film itself still had some minor blemishes that took away from the look, along with what I feel is a "mirrorish" look to it in direct sun/light (Ventureshield), over all it looked pretty good and most would have a hard time spotting it. I was also pleased to see they had wrapped most edges and removed trim to give it a very clean look.
Here is an excellent write up by Rick Nelson (Rickrack) on how PPF "should" be installed...IMO at least.